50 Years

Building a successful team

Graduate Laura Weightman is a middle-distance runner and has competed in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics. She tells us how studying at LBU helped her build a team around her to become a successful athlete.

Published on 17 Jul 2020
Laura Weightman waving union jack on track

Laura left her life in Alnwick to study at Leeds Beckett University which she says is one of the best decisions she has made.

Laura explains: “My coach, Steve Cram, told me to go somewhere that I could build a team around me. It wasn’t about just coming to Leeds for university it was about making somewhere home that would allow me to become an athlete. Coming to Leeds has been one of the best decisions I’ve made and is a huge part of my success to date.”

“I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without Leeds. Moving here over 10 years ago was one of the best decisions I have made. The people I work with in Leeds have given me the platform to the best athlete I can be.”

“Going to university gave me the time to develop as an athlete, improve my performances and build a team around me that would support me in my career post university. It was never a guarantee that I would become a successful athlete, but I wanted to give myself the platform to have the opportunity to challenge myself. I made the most of the opportunities while studying and over anything worked hard in both areas.”

Read Laura's full story